Foxe - The Book of Martyrs
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
The mystery of history is not completely dark, since it is a veil which only partially conceals the creative activity and spiritual forces and the operation of spiritual laws. It is commonplace to say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church yet what we are asserting is simply that individual acts of spiritual decision bear social fruit …For the great cultural changes and historic revolutions that decide the fate of nations or the character of an age is the cumulative result of a number of spiritual decisions … the faith and insight, or the refusal and blindness, of individuals. No one can put his finger on the ultimate spiritual act that tilts the balance, and makes the external order of society assume a new form… Persecution, powerless to destroy or even to shake this new community, made it only the more sensible of its own strength, and pressed it into a more compact body.
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<strong>Foxe</strong>’s <strong>Book</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Martyrs</strong><br />
similitude <strong>of</strong> a cross, giving this inscription, In hoc vince, that is, "In this overcome."<br />
Eusebius Pamphilus doth witness that he had heard the said Constantine himself<br />
<strong>of</strong>tentimes report, and also to swear this to be true and certain, which he did see with his own<br />
eyes in heaven, and also his soldiers about him. At the sight where<strong>of</strong> when he was greatly<br />
astonished, and consulting with his men upon the meaning there<strong>of</strong>, behold, in the night season<br />
in his sleep, Christ appeared to him with the sign <strong>of</strong> the same cross which he had seen before,<br />
bidding him to make the figuration there<strong>of</strong>, and to carry it in his wars before him, and so<br />
should we have the victory.<br />
Constantine so established the peace <strong>of</strong> the Church that for the space <strong>of</strong> a thousand years<br />
we read <strong>of</strong> no set persecution against the Christians, unto the time <strong>of</strong> John Wickliffe.<br />
So happy, so glorious was this victory <strong>of</strong> Constantine, surnamed the Great! For the joy<br />
and gladness where<strong>of</strong>, the citizens who had sent for him before, with exceeding triumph<br />
brought him into the city <strong>of</strong> Rome, where he was most honorably received, and celebrated the<br />
space <strong>of</strong> seven days together; having, moreover, in the market place, his image set up, holding<br />
in his right hand the sign <strong>of</strong> the cross, with this inscription:<br />
"With this wholesome sign, the true token <strong>of</strong> fortitude, I have rescued and delivered our<br />
city from the yoke <strong>of</strong> the tyrant."<br />
We shall conclude our account <strong>of</strong> the tenth and last general persecution with the death <strong>of</strong><br />
St. George, the titular saint and patron <strong>of</strong> England. St. George was born in Cappadocia, <strong>of</strong><br />
Christian parents; and giving pro<strong>of</strong>s <strong>of</strong> his courage, was promoted in the army <strong>of</strong> the emperor<br />
Diocletian. During the persecution, St. George threw up his command, went boldly to the<br />
senate house, and avowed his being a Christian, taking occasion at the same time to<br />
remonstrate against paganism, and point out the absurdity <strong>of</strong> worshipping idols. This freedom<br />
so greatly provoked the senate that St. George was ordered to be tortured, and by the emperor's<br />
orders was dragged through the streets, and beheaded the next day.<br />
<strong>The</strong> legend <strong>of</strong> the dragon, which is associated with this martyr, is usually illustrated by<br />
representing St. George seated upon a charging horse and transfixing the monster with his<br />
spear. This fiery dragon symbolises the devil, who was vanquished by St. George's steadfast<br />
faith in Christ, which remained unshaken in spite <strong>of</strong> torture and death.<br />
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